at first

phrase

: at the beginning : initially

Examples of at first in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The market already had strong companies and working products, which is why picking the best available option looked sensible at first. — Sergey Stopnevich, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

The technology was so universal that thieves didn’t notice at first when Kia dropped immobilizers from many of its American models in 2011, or when Hyundai did the same five years later. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

They’ve been assembled for a brain-breaker of a misfired melodrama, at first darkly amusing, before plunging headlong into soap opera-style twists and a general sense of heavy depression that no one can shake. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026

When Alvarez is the DH, Correa would be at third, Peña at short, Altuve at second and Paredes at first, potentially costing Walker playing time. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for at first

• accursed
• amerced
• cloudburst
• coerced
• conversed
• disbursed
• dispersed
• headfirst
• immersed
• outburst
• rehearsed
• reversed